Patrick Palmeiro gave Cleburne a 3-0 lead with a two-run homer in the 2nd inning, and then doubled the lead with a three-run homer in the 3rd. Rafael Palmeiro opened the scoring in the 2nd with his sixth homer of the year.

After Cleburne took a 7-0 lead on an Angel Rosa sacrifice fly in the 4th, the Dogs rallied for a pair of runs in the 5th and then brought the tying run to the plate in the 9th after scoring twice more. Shawn Blackwell earned his eighth save of the year after Treyson Vavra bounced into a game-ending double play.

Jared Mortensen earned his third win of the year with six innings of work, allowing two runs on six hits with four walks and 10 strikeouts.

Cleburne pegged Josh Goossen-Brown for seven runs over four innings, while the Chicago bullpen allowed just one baserunner on a strikeout-wild pitch over four innings of relief.

Palmeiro’s five RBI were the most he’s driven in as a Railroader, and Friday marked his first-ever multi-homer game. Blake Grant-Parks went 2-for-4 with a triple and a run scored, while Cam Monger went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored. Chase Simpson went 1-for-4 with a run scored in his debut at The Depot.

Roman Gomez and Will Mathis both posted 1-2-3 innings, while Jesus Sanchez gave up a pair of runs over 0.1 innings in the 9th.

Game 2 of the three-game series is set for 7:06 p.m. on Saturday night. Cleburne will throw RHP Josh Hodges while RHP Scott Barnes will throw for the Chicago Dogs.

Saturday night is also the next installment of the Saturday Summer Concert Series. Randall Clowdus Band will perform a free concert after the game. Tickets can be purchased at www.railroaderbaseball.com or by calling (817) 945-8705.